Air Dispersion Modeling Training

Trinity Consultants teaches training courses on air dispersion modeling theory and practical application to EHS professionals worldwide.

Accidental Release Modeling Workshop with BREEZE Incident Analyst

This 2-day course will provide participants with an in-depth understanding of common source term calculation methods and impact analysis models in order to evaluate potential hazards (including toxics, fires, and explosions) due to accidental release of chemicals under various situations. The technical methods and models to be discussed and used during the course are recognized globally and used routinely in the United States to fulfill a variety of regulatory requirements (e.g.,risk management planning, emergency response and management, and process safety management). The course will also include hands-on modeling exercises using BREEZE Incident Analyst. Upon completion of the course, attendees will:

• Understand and know how to utilize basic technical approaches for accidental release modeling analyses
• Learn about common source term calculation methods
• Grasp the use of BREEZE Incident Analyst to conduct accidental release modeling analyses
• Gain practice using BREEZE Incident Analyst's post-processing, 3D Analyst, to analyze modeling results

AERMOD Modeling Computer Lab

Trinity Consultants offers this 2 day course to provide hands-on instruction on the use of AERMOD, the U.S. EPA's preferred computer model recommended for estimation of ambient impacts of air pollutants emitted from industrial sources. This course reviews the scientific theory behind these dispersion models with an emphasis on formulating and conducting an air quality analysis from start to finish utilizing the refined model options of AERMOD, its meteorological processor AERMET, and terrain processor AERMAP. During the course, students will use BREEZE modeling software to analyze case studies and gain practical experience in processing meteorological and geophysical data and source inputs to the models, running and analyzing model output, and post-processing results to visualize and document predicted impacts.Course completion will enable attendees to:

• Understand the basics of the AERMOD model, input data, and model options
• Carry out a typical AERMOD modeling analysis
• Produce and correctly interpret tables, plots, and other output from AERMOD

AERMOD Modeling Computer Lab - Online

This 2-day course is an online version of the in-person AERMOD Lab that is provided each year in various locations around the US. Our instructor will provide hands-on instruction online using GoToWebinar on the use of AERMOD, the U.S. EPA's preferred computer model recommended for estimation of ambient impacts of air pollutants emitted from industrial sources. This course reviews the scientific theory behind these dispersion models with an emphasis on formulating and conducting an air quality analysis from start to finish utilizing the refined model options of AERMOD, its meteorological processor AERMET, and terrain processor AERMAP. During the course, students will use BREEZE® modeling software to analyze case studies and gain practical experience in processing meteorological and geophysical data and source inputs to the models, running and analyzing model output, and post-processing results to visualize and document predicted impacts. Course completion will enable attendees to:

Note: The course fee is per attendee. If multiple individuals will be attending within one office, they will all need to register (for which we do offer a multiple registration discount). Recording the training course is strictly prohibited.

Complimentary Webinar on Explosion Consequence Modeling: Balancing Model Sophistication with Finite Resources

1. An industrial plant siting analysis involving multiple potential VCE scenarios
2. An urban multi-story building external HE scenario
3. A large-scale city/residential HE scenario (the West, Texas event)
4. A small-scale improvised explosive device (IED) terrorism event (one of the London 7/7 subway bombings)

Complimentary Webinar on Representative Meteorological Data for AERMOD: The Applicability of ADJ_U* to Onsite Meteorological Datasets that Include Partial Turbulence

Join BREEZE Software for a complimentary webinar where we will discuss the applicability of the new regulatory default option, ADJ_U*, in the U.S. EPA’s AERMET meteorological data preprocessing tool (version 16216). This new option addresses a long-standing issue with the AERMOD model that resulted in AERMOD tending to overestimate ground-level pollutant concentrations in many low wind speed, stable atmospheric condition situations. 

During the webinar we will evaluate and discuss the appropriateness of using or omitting ADJ_U* when processing onsite meteorological data by comparing the performance of several meteorological datasets taken from nearby locations for two case studies: onsite data including turbulence parameters, onsite data not including turbulence parameters, NWS data taken from a nearby airport, and WRF prognostic model data for a nearby location.

Dispersion Modeling for Managers

This 1-day course provides environmental managers, plant managers, and others with air quality responsibilities with a broad understanding of air dispersion modeling as a tool for compliance studies or permitting submittals. The course covers the fundamental modeling concepts as well as regulatory requirements for state and federal permitting. Screening and refined modeling tools are introduced. The courses combines short lecture and interactive classroom example problem sets for maximum comprehension.

This course includes hands-on exercises requiring the use of a computer. Attendees should bring a laptop or notify the instructor if they are unable to do so.

• Regulatory requirements for air dispersion modeling (NAAQS, PSD increments, significant air impacts, Class I analysis)
• New short-term SO2 and NO2 NAAQS
• PM2.5 issues and possible solutions
• U.S. EPA’s ongoing efforts to update models
• Modeling best practices and common pitfalls

Fundamentals of Air Dispersion Modeling

This intensive 2-day course is designed for entry level engineers, dispersion modelers, and meteorologists or others wanting to deepen their understanding of air dispersion modeling principles. Concise lectures supplemented by multi-media example problem sets, a short hands-on introduction to computer-based modeling software, and group discussions are used to maximize comprehension. Students learn how models incorporate the effects of transport and dispersion, atmospheric turbulence, stack characterization, building downwash, and terrain impacts with emphasis on U.S. EPA models such as AERMOD, AERSCREEN, and a brief introduction to CALPUFF, CAMx, and CMAQ. Participants learn about:

• Modeling theory, U.S. EPA models, and model selection
• Role and sources of meteorology
• Model use and interpretation within regulatory and non-regulatory contexts of application

Practical Air Dispersion & Accidental Release Modeling Workshop - International

This 3-day course focuses on the fundamentals of air dispersion modeling, air dispersion modeling with AERMOD and CALPUFF, and accidental release modeling with BREEZE Incident Analyst. It provides hands-on instruction with all of these programs to those who wish to use the models, sharpen their existing modeling skills, or better understand results prepared by others. It is a combination of the AERMOD Modeling Computer Lab and Accidental Release Modeling Workshop with BREEZE Incident Analyst courses, with additional focus on developing a strong understanding of model fundamentals. All attendees who register for this course will receive a complimentary 30-day trial of BREEZE AERMOD, CALPUFF, Incident Analyst, and the post-processing program (3D Analyst).

Practical Air Dispersion Modeling Workshop

This 3-day course is designed for environmental professionals with little dispersion modeling experience who wish to use the AERMOD model or to better understand AERMOD results prepared by others. It is similar to the two-day AERMOD Modeling Computer Lab course, with additional focus on developing a strong understanding of model fundamentals. Course topics include Gaussian model behavior, source characterization, building and terrain data, and results interpretation. The course includes hands-on modeling exercises and interactive lecture sessions. Course completion will enable attendees to:

• Develop a strong understanding of the AERMOD model, its input data, and model options
• Carry out a typical AERMOD modeling analysis
• Produce and correctly interpret tables, plots, and other output from AERMOD